Khaberni - The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Monday that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains dire, as harsh weather conditions threaten the progress made in humanitarian response.
OCHA reported that partner humanitarian organizations distributed supplies to 28,000 families during the past week to help meet the immense needs in the field of shelter. These supplies included 1,600 tents, 16,000 plastic covers, and 27,000 blankets.
Humanitarian partners warned that no fewer than 1.1 million people are still in desperate need of assistance; with ongoing rainstorms causing severe damage to many existing shelters, destroying them.
OCHA explained that a new storm swept through the tents of displaced people across Gaza on Friday, leaving thousands of people homeless once again.
The United Nations and its partners are conducting assessments and providing assistance to the most vulnerable groups.
Partners emphasized that tents remain a temporary solution, and that more supplies are needed, including tools, cement, and heavy machinery to clear debris, as well as continued funding to transition from emergency phase to early recovery efforts.
OCHA mentioned that children are still severely affected by low temperatures and harsh weather.
Humanitarian partners reported that another infant died last Sunday due to hypothermia, raising the total number of reported deaths to four cases, all young children, according to the Ministry of Health.
Since the ceasefire until the end of the year, relief organizations have distributed more than 310,000 sets of winter clothes to children, and over 112,000 pairs of shoes as part of the response for the winter season. Additionally, 150 specialized tents were installed across the sector for use as safe and child-friendly spaces.
In the meantime, humanitarian partners leading efforts in addressing malnutrition screened more than 76,000 children last month and identified about 4,900 cases of severe acute malnutrition, including more than 820 cases of severe acute malnutrition. Thus, the total number of acute malnutrition cases identified in 2025 stands at nearly 95,000 cases.
In the field of education, partners leading education solutions have continued to expand their work, opening 18 additional temporary educational spaces last week for approximately 35,000 students. The total number of operational temporary learning spaces currently stands at 440 spaces, accommodating about 268,000 children.
Efforts continue to improve opportunities for all children to access education, though partners report that Israeli authorities still block the entry of educational supplies, arguing that education is not a vital activity during the first phase of the ceasefire.
The United Nations continues to advocate for rapid, continuous, and unhindered access to allow the United Nations and its partners in the humanitarian field to expand aid faster; to prevent further deterioration and alleviate people's suffering.
